Today's readings are familiar ones. Isaiah: "On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; ..." The second reading is taken from the psalms: Psalm 23-"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me;he refreshes my soul. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come." The gospel is taken from Matthew 15:29-37 At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel.
Jesus summoned his disciples and said,“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him,“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves,and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full."
Jesus summoned his disciples and said,“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him,“Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves,and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full."
I read a story this morning on Beliefnet.com about two Air Force officers stationed at Bagram AFB in Afghanistan. Witnessing the poverty in Afghanistan, they devised a way to elicit help from Americans. Each rallying the fans of their alma maters, they are collecting warm clothing, shoes and school supplies. Longhorn fans at Arlington are now competing with the Oklahoma Sooner fans for the greatest amount of aid for Afghanistans in need. Cool idea, huh?
I'm reminded of a hymn we sing:
Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep! A new day is dawning for all those who weep. The people in darkness have seen a great light. The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.
Refrain: Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing. For the Lord our light and our love has turned the night into day.
Refrain: Let us build the city of God. May our tears be turned into dancing. For the Lord our light and our love has turned the night into day.
God bless this first Wednesday of Advent.
1 comment:
Isn't that the hymn that converted Brian? I love those readings...I love how we go from rich food and choice wine to a cup of water. An overflowing cup of water. Ahhhh. And then to no liquid at all. OK, I just noticed that!
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